WILLIAM ARTHUR "BILL" WILSON

William Arthur “Bill” Wilson October 29, 1945 – July 21, 2021

A memorial service will be held to honor Bill Wilson, 75, on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. with a military honors service at 2:45 P.M., at The Hilltop Bar and Grill, 1251 Cole Street, Wheatland, Wyoming. A celebration of his remarkable life will follow to include a meal, music, and remembrance. The memorial service will be officiated by Adam Coop, who is a friend of the family and the pastor of Whitewater Christian Church in Laramie, Wyoming.

A humble hero to this country, community, and his family, William Arthur “Bill” Wilson passed away peacefully with loved ones by his side in the Intensive Care Unit at the Cheyenne Veteran Affairs Medical Center on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.

Bill was born on Monday, October 29, 1945 in Wheatland to Ellis Arthur “Art” and Pauline Rosalie “Pearl” (Fertig) Wilson.

Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cherie Wilson; his children, Aaron (April) Wilson of Wheatland, Darci (Abe) Simpson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Darby Wilson of Greeley, Colorado; three grandchildren, Bradey Wilson of Billings, Montana, Kinsey Prewitt of Wheatland, and Eleora Simpson of Colorado Springs; and three siblings, Edgar Wilson of Tucson, Arizona, Paulene Kerrick of Coppell, Texas, and Marjorie Bennett of Wheatland.

He was preceded in death by two days by his sister, Kathleen Bucholz of Wheatland, as well as his parents and two unborn grandchildren.

Bill served in the United States Army as a paratrooper and combat medic, attached to the 82nd and 101st Airborne in the Santa Domingo conflict in Dominican Republic and the Vietnam Conflict. He was a proud Flying Tiger and Screaming Eagle. Bill received several Purple Hearts, along with an Army Commendation Medal, Silver Star Combat Medical Badge, and Combat Infantry Badge. While in Vietnam, Premiere Nguyen Cao Ky presented to him, and personally pinned on, the South Vietnamese Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of outstanding victory at Dak To.

Known as “Papa” by those who loved him, he taught us to “never holler ‘woah’ in a horse race” and lived his life in the same way, loving life and loving Jesus. After retiring as a heavy equipment operator, Bill loved working with Aaron at the family ranch and A&A Earthworks. His hobbies included sharing stories with his many friends, driving the backhoe, hunting, and seeking treasure. He was the treasure to his family and will be greatly missed.

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland assisted with the arrangements.

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